A Christmas craft gone wrong...

Christmas crafts have never really been my thing. I like Christmas cards, Christmas candy, Christmas carols, Christmas clothes… but I’m OK with leaving the Christmas crafts to the experts. Yet, this year, the crafts keep finding us.

Earlier this week Toddler 1 came home from preschool with a craft “surprise” in her backpack that one of her classmates had brought in for all the kids in her room. Seeing that the project (which was now unavoidable) was going to involve both water and patience, I told her that Daddy would want to be home with us when we did it so he wouldn’t miss out on any of the fun. I know how he shares my love for crafts.

So, last night we all four sat down to create our first “Magical Growing Christmas Tree.” These pictures are terrible in quality, but you can follow Toddler 2’s expressions to see how exciting the experience really was:

The unfortunate part about this craft (besides the amount of concentration and steady-handedness that it requires to string the tiny beaded garland around the paper limbs of the tree) is the fact that it takes 12 hours for the “magic” to happen and the tree to blossom. Once we all understood that reality, we went to bed with high hopes of awakening to a “full and bushy” miniature tree (as promised on the package).

You can imagine our disappointment when Toddler 1 and I came downstairs this morning to find this:

For some reason, our tree grew psychedelic broccoli sprouts. And, more alarmingly, they only grew half-way up the tree. Where did the magic go wrong? It’s as if our kit grew into a mysterious fungus rather than a yuletide chia pet as promised. I know for sure we followed the directions to a tee.

Just for fun, I looked this little tree up on the internet, and the information I found there was much more amusing than the actual craft. I’ll spare you the details, but under the “Frequently Asked Questions” section, I found these disturbing details:

Question: What is the magical goo?

Answer: We don’t know exactly what substances make the tree grow, which is why it is “magic.” The magic Christmas tree is non-toxic.

(Oh, really? If the manufacturer doesn’t “exactly know” what substances make the tree grow, how can we be so sure it’s non-toxic? See… this is another reason not to get into crafts).

Question: Will the tree be safe around pets?

Answer: Honestly, no probably not. Keep the Magic Christmas Tree up high where the animals can’t get it.

(Perfect. I’m sure the girls will just enjoy looking at it from a distance).

Clearly, I have no appreciation for the science behind the magic.

What I can appreciate, though, is this creative craft that Toddler 2 did in her preschool class this week:

I would never think of using a footprint for the head of a reindeer. But, in the off chance that I did, I would most definitely NOT be brave enough to put paint on the bottom of a 2-year old’s foot to make this all come together. Blessed are the toddler teachers, for I know not how they do it. But, I sure do like it. And, Toddler 2 is extremely proud that her foot now adorns our refrigerator.

Have a great weekend!

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